4. Implications
Cannot evaluate a child’s development only in
the immediate environment.
Must also examine the interactions among
the larger environments that a child develops
in.
5. The FOUR layers
Microsystem: Relationships with direct contact to
the child
Mesosystem: Connection between relationships of
child’s microsystem
Exosystem: Structures in which child the child does
not have direct contact
Macrosystem: Cultural context
6. Based on Bronfenbrenner, U. 1979. The Ecology of Human Development. Cambridge: Harvard
University Press.
7. Microsystem
Variables that the child is directly exposed to
Relationships: Family, school, religious
institution, neighbors
Family: Most influential and durable influence on
child
Environment: Geographic, Material structures
Child’s body
General health
Brain functioning – physiological and psychological
Emotions
Cognitive System
8. Most of the child’s behavior is learned in the
microsystem
The microsystem consists of bi-directional
influences
Parents actively shape the development of the child
Children actively shape their environment
Personal attributes influence responses from other
people
Children actively select and avoid specific environments
Bi-directional relationships are the foundation for a
child’s cognitive and emotional growth
10. Exosystem
Institutions of society that indirectly affect a child’s
development
Parent’s workplace
Funding for education
These impact a child’s development by influencing
structures in the microsystem
11. Macrosystem
Cultural context
Provides the values, beliefs, customs, and laws of the
culture in which a child grows up
Influences how parents, teachers, and others raise a
child
May be conscious or unconscious
Influences the societal values, legislation, and financial
resources provided by a society to help families
function
Influences the interactions of all other layers
12. Properties of the four layers
Each layer has an effect on a child’s development
Each layer is complex
Conflict within any layer ripples throughout other
layers
13. Critique
Strengths
Integrates multiple influences on child development
Weaknesses
Does not provide detailed mechanisms for
development
14. Implications for Education
Primary relationship must be intended to
last a lifetime
Teachers need to work to support the primary
child-adult relationship
Schools should create an environment that
welcomes and nurtures families
Education should foster societal attitudes that
value all work done on behalf of children